Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton has revealed that $1 b has been allocated towards addressing several issues at hospitals, including limited bed space.
He sought to assure that efforts will be made to free up bed spaces in hospitals.
This in the wake of concern about overcrowding and persons admitted having to sleep in chairs in passageways and the waiting areas.
In his sectoral debate presentation today (may 7) Dr. Tufton said about 200 beds at hospitals are occupied by social cases, that is, persons who are fit to be released but have been abandoned by relatives, or genuinely have nowhere to go.
He said assessments of each social case will be done and where possible, some persons will be transferred to nursing homes.
The minister chastised relatives who abandon their loved ones at hospitals.
He said, this year, the government will determine what action will be taken against these relatives.